Voto Latino Calls Trump’s Administration to Respect Court Ruling and End Use of Alien Enemies Act

WASHINGTON. D.C. — Voto Latino commends the recent decision by Trump-appointed Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. in rejecting President Trump’s unlawful invocation of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to carry out mass deportations:

“The ruling confirms what immigrant communities and advocates have long asserted: the administration’s sweeping deportation orders violated constitutional protections and due process.”

President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act—a draconian wartime statute originally intended for use during declared conflicts—to authorize the rapid deportation of immigrants with no criminal record, including lawful permanent residents and even U.S. citizens. Many were detained without cause, denied legal representation, and stripped of their due process rights.

In his decision, Judge Rodriguez, a Trump-appointed federal judge, stated:

• “The Court concludes that the President’s invocation of the AEA through the Proclamation exceeds the scope of the statute and, as a result, is unlawful.”

“Misusing the Alien Enemies Act is not the solution to reforming our immigration system. What we need is a modern, humane approach that respects the rule of law and reflects the reality of our multicultural America.

This landmark decision reaffirms that the Constitution—and the fundamental rights it guarantees—applies to all individuals residing in the United States, regardless of immigration status. No president is above the Constitution. Our democracy depends on checks and balances—and on leaders who respect them.

Voto Latino calls on the administration to respect the federal court’s decision and immediately halt any further actions under the use of the Alien Enemies Act. We urge President Trump to pursue real immigration reform that honors the Constitution, upholds due process, and recognizes the humanity and contributions of all communities.

Voto Latino remains steadfast in its mission to protect the rights and dignity of Latino and immigrant communities.”

###

Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.